Systems and methods for conducting smoke evacuation during laparoscopic surgical procedures

Abstract

An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures, comprising:
 a) a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system; and   b) a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen for fluid communication with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen in fluid communication with the pump.   
     
     
         2 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second cannula for introduction into the abdominal cavity of the patient, which includes a single lumen in fluid communication with a suction side of the pump for removing gas from the abdominal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . A system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with a pressure side of the pump for delivering pressurized gas to the abdominal cavity. 
     
     
         4 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with a suction side of the pump for removing gas from the abdominal cavity. 
     
     
         5 . A system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first lumen is in fluid communication with the source of insufflation fluid and a pressure side of the pump for delivering pressurized gas and insufflation fluid to the abdominal cavity. 
     
     
         6 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a bypass valve is operatively associated with the pump for controlling a gas circulation rate within the system. 
     
     
         7 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a mechanical seal is operatively associated with the second lumen to maintain abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         8 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first lumen is configured to serve as a sense line for sensing abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         9 . A system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a filter device operatively connected for filtering gas circulating through the system to remove smoke and debris therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures, comprising:
 a) a source of insufflation fluid;   b) a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system; and   c) a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen in fluid communication with the source of insufflation fluid and a pressure side of the pump for delivering pressurized gas and insufflation fluid to the abdominal cavity, and a second lumen in fluid communication with a suction side of the pump for removing gas from the abdominal cavity.   
     
     
         11 . A system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a bypass valve is operatively associated with the pump for controlling a gas circulation rate within the system. 
     
     
         12 . A system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a mechanical seal is operatively associated with the second lumen to maintain abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         13 . A system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first lumen is configured to serve as a sense line for sensing abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         14 . A system as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising a filter device for filtering gas circulating through the system to remove smoke and debris therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures, comprising:
 a) a source of insufflation fluid;   b) a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system;   c) a dual lumen cannula including a first lumen in fluid communication with the source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen in fluid communication with a pressure side of the pump for delivering pressurized gas to the abdominal cavity; and   d) a second cannula having a single lumen in fluid communication with a suction side of the pump for removing gas from the abdominal cavity.   
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a bypass valve is operatively associated with the pump for controlling a gas circulation rate within the system. 
     
     
         17 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a mechanical seal is operatively associated with the second lumen to maintain abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         18 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first lumen is configured to serve as a sense line for sensing abdominal pressure. 
     
     
         19 . A system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a filter device for filtering gas circulating through the system to remove smoke and debris therefrom.